EDITOR'S EDITORIAL CHIT - CHAT . "PETERSON" FOR 1862- BETTER THAN EVER.-On the cover, this month, will be found our Prospectus for 1862. Every year's experience teaches us how to do better for our subscribers. The proof of the superiority of this Magazine, all things considered, to other ladies' magazines, is in the fact that it had, last year, a larger circulation than any other in the United States, or even in the world, and promises to outstrip its cotemporaries to an even greater degree in 1862. As some earnest of what we intend to do, we offer this number to the public. We do not fear to say, in advance, that no other magazine, whatever its price, will be able to equal our illustrations. "The Little Wood-Chopper," " Letting in the New Year," the splendid Berlin pattern, and the fashion-plate, will, we predict, have no rivals anywhere. The literary matter will speak for itself. The Work-Table Department contains patterns that are worth the entire subscription price. The cheapness of this Magazine is a point to which we wish particularly to direct attention. Everything that is to be had in a three dollar magazine can be had here for two dollars, and much of it, as the newspaper press universally declares, of a higher quality than elsewhere. Now is the time to get up clubs ! Everybody will subscribe for " Peterson," if its claims are fairly presented, unless a promise has been given to take some other magazine. Be, therefore, the first in the field. A specimen will be sent, gratis, ifwritten for, to show to acquaintances, so that you need not injure your own copy. Don't lose a moment!
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EXPLANATIONS OF CROCHET STITCHES.-As we are frequently applied to, by new subscribers, for the meaning of the abbreviations we use in crochet, we give here a description of these abbreviations. Chain Stitch, abbreviation (Ch.), is made by forming a loop on the thread, then inserting the hook, and drawing the thread through the loop already made. Continue this, forming a succession of stitches. Slip Stitch (never abbreviated) is made by drawing a thread at once through any given stitch and the loop on the needle. Single Crochet, abbreviation (Sc. ) Having a loop on the needle, insert the hook in a stitch, and draw the thread through in a loop. You then have two on the hook ; draw the thread through both at once. Double Crochet, abbreviation (Dc. ) Twist the thread round the hook before inserting it in the stitch through which you draw the thread in a loop. There will then be three loops on the hook ; draw the thread through two, and then through the onejust formed, and the remaining one. Treble Crochet, abbreviated (Tc.), is done in the same way as (Dc.), only observing to twist the thread twice round the hock before inserting it into the stitch. Long Treble Crochet, abbreviated ( Ltc.), is done in the same way as Dc., only observing to twist the thread threo times round the hook before inserting it into the stitch. Square Crochet is also sometimes used, (no abbreviation). The squares are either open or close. An open square consists of one Dc. two Ch., missing two on the line beneath before making the next stitch. A close square has three successive Dc. Thus, any given number of close squares, followed by an open, will have so many times three Dc. USELESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.-Much precious time and and one over; consequently any foundation for square hard-earned money are frequently spent in the accumu- crochet must have a number that can be divided by three, lation of accomplishments by those who would be far more having one over. wisely and properly employed in learning those duties To Contract an Edge.-This may be done in Dc., Tc., or which life, as it is now constituted, demands of the great Ltc. Twist the thread round the hook as often as required, majority. Let the hours spent upon music by those who insert it in the work and half do a stitch. Instead of finishhave no ear, upon drawing by those who have no eye, anding it, twist the thread round again, until the same number upon the languages by those who never after speak any of loops are on, and work a stitch entirely, so that, for two but their mother tongue, be added together, year after stitches, there is only one head. year, and then just ask yourselves the question, What is To Join on a Thread.-Joins should be avoided as much it all for? Why is it that hard-working fathers and care- as possible in open work. In joining, finish the stitch by worn mothers, who have little or nothing to leave their drawing the new thread through, leaving two inches for daughters, so unhesitatingly bow to the supposed necessity both ends, which must be held in. of this expensive outlay? Is it because they think it will To Use Several Colors.-This is done in Sc. Hold the add to their permanent comfort, or worth, or improvement? threads not in use on the edge of the work, and work them No; but it is because they think it genteel. Now this is in. Change the color by beginning the stitch in the old all wrong. First make your daughters good housewives : color, and finishing it with the new, continuing the work then, if they have any special talent, cultivate that. It is with the latter, holding in the old. If only one stitch is better to do one thing well, than a dozen things badly: to wanted in the new color, finish one stitch and begin the excel in a single accomplishment, than pretend to many next with it, then change. and fail in all. To Work Over Cord.- Hold the cord in the left hand with the work and work over it, as you would over an end METHOD OF ASCERTAINING THE STATE OF THE LUNGS.-Per- of thread, working closely. When beads are used, they sons desirous of ascertaining the true state of theirlungs are must be first threaded on the silk or thread, and then dropdirected to draw in as much breath as they conveniently ped according to the pattern on the wrong side of the work. can ; they are then to count as far as they are able, in a A Star is always used to mark repetitions. It will be slow and audible voice, without drawing in more breath, seen that whenever a star (*) is used, another similar one is The number of seconds they can continue counting must sure to be found, the repetition occurring between the two. be carefully observed. In a consumption, the time does not exceed ten, and is frequently less than six seconds ; in ANOTHER PREMIUM.-Instead of the extra copy, or Album, pleurisy and pneumonia it ranges from nine to four seconds. or Mezzotint, we will send as a premium, if preferred, a When the lungs are in a sound condition, the time will dollar and a quarter's worth of T. B. Peterson & Brother's range as high as from twenty to thirty-five seconds. publications. A catalogue (to choose from) sent gratis. 90
